Page 66 of The Devil's Ice

“Physical,” Zoe finished for her. “Yes. And so now you two are getting to know each other in all the non-physical ways, right?”

“How did you –”

“Jesus,” Zoe repeated. “Didn’t youjusttell Keira that Ice likes you for you, and thinks you’re beautiful, and sees you as a whole person?”

“That was a secret, between me and her,” Vixen said in a dignified manner. “Eavesdropping isrude, Zee. I thought you’d know better.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Zoe shook her head, poured the eggs into the hot pan. “So how about while I cook your breakfast, Tank and Honey give you the grand tour, get you set up in your bedroom. They can help you unpack, and set up the sleeping frame, and show you the walk-in shower.”

“Walk-in?” Vixen perked up. “For real?”

“Uh-huh. And it’s huge, so we could actually getfourchairs in there for you to sit on, so you won’t need to worry about slipping and falling in a bathtub. You can take a shower in comfort and in privacy, then I can help you get dried off and dressed. If you want me to, I mean.”

“Thanks, Zoe. I definitely need the help.”

“You got it, anything you need.” Zoe started a fresh pot of coffee, opened a package of bacon. “I’ll have this all done in about ten minutes, so go and settle in a bit.”

“That sounds great, actually,” Vixen said, accepting Tank’s help up out of the chair. “Then I wanted to talk to you alone, if it’s OK with you.”

“Vixen,” Zoe said. “We’re going to be here, all five of us, for who-knows-how-long… what the hellelseare we going to do if not talk?” She paused. “And teach a stuffed bunny to read?”

**

About two hours later, after a massive breakfast, and reading with Keira and Peach, Vixen asked Zoe to help her get into bed for a nap.

As she eased her way into the frame that Tank had set up for her in the double bed, Vixen looked at the solid wooden furniture, the huge window facing a line of trees in the distance, the flowered duvet and bright yellow curtains.

To be honest, she was surprised how comfortable and warm the safe house was; she’d had visions of the barest, most basic amenities and necessities, but this was a really cute little farmhouse, way out of the city and surrounded by fields. Honey and Tank could see anything coming for miles and miles around – from any window in the house. Normally, Vixen would dislike feeling this open and exposed and isolated, but right now it was a comfort to know that there was nobody close by.

“You OK?” Zoe said to her now. “What else do I do to make you more comfy?”

“Could you just pile the pillows around on either side of me? They keep me from moving too much, but also, I feel kind of snug and cozy all boxed in.”

“You got it.” Zoe started to do as Vixen had asked, then she stood there, staring at her handiwork. “Huh. Looks like a pillow fort.”

Vixen laughed. “That’sexactlywhat Ice said, the first time that he stayed at my place and had to trap me in the pillow prison.”

“So.” Gingerly, trying not to jostle the mattress too much, Zoe sat at the end of the bed. “You said that you wanted to talk to me… is it about Ice?”

“Kind of, yes. I’m looking for some advice, actually.”

“I should tell you,” Zoe said. “I don’t know him very well at all. I mean, I think in the past four years, I’ve exchanged maybe a hundred words with him. The man keeps to himself, as I’m sure you’re well aware.”

“I didn’t want to talk aboutIce, exactly. More about how you handle – I mean, what do youdowhen the guys are – are off doing whatever it is that they’re doing, and you’re just kind oflefthere. Waiting, knowing nothing. How do you do it? How does it not upset and freak you out?”

“Ah,” Zoe said gently. “It’s not easy, is it?”

“I don’t really know yet, because this time is different. In fact, it’s the first time that it’s been likethis.” Vixen twisted her hands in the bed sheets. “I mean, Ice left just a few hours ago, and even though he’s been gone for weeks and weeks in the past –he’d just up and go without a word – but that wasbefore.”

“Before what?”

“Before we got together properly,” Vixen said, a bit shyly. “Before we told each other how we feel.”

“So before, the deal was that you were just about sex, so he went about his club business without saying anything to you?”

“Exactly. He just kind of disappeared and then reappeared out of the blue. Sometimes with bruises, or fresh stab or even bullet wounds – but we never talked about it. We weren’tabouttalking.”

“And now you are?”

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